Gaillardia plant named ‘Sunset Flash’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Gaillardia  named ‘Sunset Flash’ that is distinguishable by a long blooming period, gray-green foliage, a compact, low-growing habit and single inflorescences composed of two rows of flat ray florets which are orange-red in color with yellow tips, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Gaillardia×grandiflora.

Variety denomination: ‘Sunset Flash’.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofGaillardia plant, also known as a blanket flower, a herbaceous perennialthat is grown for use as an ornamental landscape and container plant.The new variety is known botanically as Gaillardia×grandiflora and willbe referred to hereinafter by the variety name ‘Sunset Flash’.Gaillardia is in the family Compositae, under which the commonlyreferred to “flower” is actually the inflorescence, and made up ofsmaller ray florets and disc florets. The ray florets themselves havethe appearance of “petals”.

‘Sunset Flash’ originated and was selected from a large population ofhybrid seedlings from a Gaillardia breeding program which was started in2006. The breeding program was conducted in a greenhouse nursery in WestSussex, United Kingdom. The aims of the breeding program were to producenovel combinations of flower colors and flower forms which are borne onwell-branched plants with sturdy growth habits. The inventors carriedout a controlled hybridization was carried out using combinations ofselected named varieties and selected unnamed and unreleased seedlingsretained from previous breeding cycles.

‘Sunset Flash’ was selected in 2009 for its vibrant orange-red coloredflat ray florets with yellow tips which are produced from spring untilfall and which do not fade with age. ‘Sunset Flash’ was also selectedfor its compact and naturally branching habit and high bud count.

The hybridization which led to the selection of ‘Sunset Flash’ wascarried out during 2008 using a proprietary unreleased seedling raisedby the inventors and known as ‘G722-1’ (unpatented) as the male parentand a proprietary unreleased seedling raised by the inventors and knownas ‘G716-1’ (unpatented) as the female parent.

‘Sunset Flash’ was first asexually propagated in October 2009 in agreenhouse at the inventors nursery in West Sussex, United Kingdom usingshoot cuttings taken from lateral branches. ‘Sunset Flash’ is stable andreproduces true to type in successive generations of asexualreproduction.

SUMMARY

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of ‘Sunset Flash’. ‘Sunset Flash’ has notbeen tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences maybe observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, without however, any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘Sunset Flash’ exhibits a compact and naturally branching        plant habit.    -   2. ‘Sunset Flash’ exhibits single inflorescences comprised of        two rows or layers of flat ray florets which are orange-red in        color with yellow tips.    -   3. The disc of ‘Sunset Flash’ is deep red in color, with a        yellow center, when the inflorescence is fully expanded.    -   4. ‘Sunset Flash’ blooms continually from early spring until        late fall.    -   5. ‘Sunset Flash’ exhibits neat, medium to small foliage.    -   6. After one year's growth in a 3 liter container, ‘Sunset        Flash’ is 35 cm to 40 cm in height and 40 cm to 45 cm in width.    -   7. ‘Sunset Flash’ is hardy in USDA zone 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance ofthe new Gaillardia cultivar ‘Sunset Flash’ showing the colors as true asit is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of thistype. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values citedin the detailed botanical description, which more accurately describesthe actual colors of the new variety ‘Sunset Flash’.

FIG. 1 depicts a whole plant of ‘Sunset Flash’ which has been grown in afrost-free greenhouse in West Sussex, United Kingdom. The illustratedplant is one year old and has been grown without any pinching orchemical growth regulator.

FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the fully expanded inflorescence of‘Sunset Flash’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Sunset Flash’. Observations, measurements, values,and comparisons were collected in August, 2014 in Santa Barbara, Calif.from a one year old plant grown outdoors in in full sun in a 13 cmcontainer with freely drained proprietary peat-based potting soil. Colordeterminations were made in accordance with the 2007 Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart from London England, except where general colorterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Compositae.        -   Genus.—Gaillardia.        -   Species.—×grandiflora.        -   Common name.—Blanket flower.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Gaillardia code number ‘G716-1’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Gaillardia code number ‘G722-1’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Propagation method.—Typically by softwood cuttings although            root cuttings have also been successful.        -   Root system.—Fine and fibrous.        -   Vigor.—Moderate vigor.        -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 14 to 20 days are            needed to develop roots on initial cuttings.        -   Temperatures to initiate rooting.—The recommended air            temperature is 20-21° Centigrade.        -   Crop time.—Approximately 10 weeks to 2 months are needed to            produce a finished 15 cm container plant from a rooted            cutting.        -   Growth habit.—Compact and naturally freely branching.        -   Suggested container size.—15 cm container.        -   Use.—Ornamental for use as a landscape plant or container            plant.        -   Type.—Herbaceous perennial.        -   Plant dimensions.—After one year's growth in a 3 liter            container: 35 cm to 40 cm in height and 40 cm to 45 cm in            width. At maturity in the ground: 40 cm to 45 cm in height            and 50 cm to 55 cm in width.        -   Cultural requirements.—Grow in full sun with moderate water,            and well-draining soil such as loam.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 5.        -   Growing requirements.—If grown outside in regions which            experience winter freezing, ‘Sunset Flash’ may be started as            a cutting during the spring or summer of the previous year,            planted out prior to the onset of winter, and flowering will            commence typically in May or June according to the region            and season. When grown outside in frost-free regions, or in            frost-protected greenhouses, ‘Sunset Flash’ will flower            virtually all year round and may be started as a cutting            (which should be non-flowering) at any time of year.-   Stems:    -   -   Branching habit.—Basal branching.        -   Stem color.—138B.        -   Stem dimensions.—10 cm to 15 cm in length and 5 mm in width.        -   Stem shape.—Cylindrical, slightly fluted longitudinally.        -   Stem surface.—Markedly villous with dense coverage of very            fine silvery hairs, approximately 3 mm to 4 mm in length.        -   Internode length.—Average internode length is 10 mm to 12            mm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Leaf shape.—Oblanceolate, except earlier (older) leaves            exhibit one or two pairs of opposite lobes.        -   Leaf dimensions (lobes absent).—6.5 cm in length, 2.0 cm in            width.        -   Leaf dimensions (lobes present).—7.5 cm in length, 2.5 cm in            width at lobes.        -   Leaf base.—Truncate.        -   Leaf apex.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf attachment.—Sessile.        -   Leaf color (both surfaces).—138B.        -   Leaf venation pattern.—Parallel. Mid vein protrudes on both            surfaces.        -   Vein color (both surfaces).—Lighter than 138B: between 138B            and 138C.        -   Leaf surface (both surfaces).—Pubescent, very fine silvery            hairs, lighter than 156D, approximately 3 mm in length.        -   Fragrance.—A slight sage-like scent when bruised.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Solitary.        -   Aspect.—Facing upward.        -   Dimensions of inflorescence.—80 mm in diameter and 15 mm in            height.        -   Inflorescence type.—Radiate capitate with central disc.        -   Disc diameter (inflorescence fully expanded).—27 mm to 30            mm.        -   Inflorescence number per plant.—Approximately 25 to 30            inflorescences in bud and flower at one time.        -   Blooming season.—Spring, summer and fall.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence.—10 days, reducing to 7 days in            full sun in mid-summer.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Peduncle dimensions.—8 cm to 11 cm in length and 2.5 mm in            diameter.        -   Peduncle shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Peduncle surface.—Surface is pubescent and exhibits            longitudinal ridges.        -   Peduncle color.—138C.        -   Peduncle strength.—Stiff.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Bud shape.—Rotate whorl.        -   Bud dimensions (bud).—13 mm in diameter and 9 mm in height.        -   Bud color.—138C.        -   Bud surface.—Villous.-   Ray florets:    -   -   Ray floret shape.—Fan shaped with predominantly three but            occasionally four fused petals appearing as lobes.        -   Ray floret surface (outer surface).—Pubescent.        -   Ray floret surface (inner surface).—Glabrous.        -   Ray floret arrangement.—Radiate.        -   Number of ray florets per inflorescence.—18 to 20 ray            florets per inflorescence.        -   Number of petals per ray floret.—Three or four.        -   Fused or unfused.—Petals are basally fused.        -   Petal margins of ray floret.—Entire.        -   Ray floret dimensions.—28 mm to 30 mm in length including            the corolla tube, 18 mm to 20 mm in width at the widest            point.        -   Corolla tube dimensions.—3 mm in depth and 1 mm in diameter.        -   Ray floret color (upper surface).—42B except lobe tips (3 mm            to 4 mm) 13A.        -   Ray floret color (lower surface).—180C except lobe tips (3            mm to 4 mm) 15C.        -   Ray floret veins (both surfaces).—Longitudinal, parallel,            fine but prominent; color 53B.        -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.-   Disc florets:    -   -   Quantity of disc florets per inflorescence.—Numerous,            approximately 200 to 250.        -   Disc floret dimensions (including pistil length).—9 mm in            length and 2.5 mm in width.        -   Depth of disc floret corolla tube.—6 mm.        -   Surface of disc florets.—Lanate.        -   Color of disc florets (inflorescence newly opening, both            surfaces).—12A.        -   Color of disc florets (inflorescence fully expanded, both            surfaces).—N34A.        -   Phyllary.—Dimensions: 5.50 cm in diameter and 3 cm in            length. Color: 147B. Arrangement: Whorl.        -   Involucral bracts.—Number: An average of 25 per            inflorescence Shape: Oblanceolate. Dimensions: 2 cm in            length and 0.50 cm in width. Margin: Entire. Apex: Acute.            Base: Truncate. Color (both surfaces): 138B. Surface texture            (both surfaces): Pubescent.        -   Fragrance of inflorescence.—Sweet fragrance.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens (present on disc florets only).—Number: Three,            adnate to inner surface of corolla tube. Dimensions: 0.20 mm            in width and 5 mm in length. Color: 17A. Form: Plumose.            Anther: Dimensions: 0.50 mm in length and 1 mm in width.            Color: 187A. Shape: Narrow lanceolate. Pollen: Present.            Quantity: Large amount. Color: 17B.        -   Pistil (present on ray florets and disc florets).—Number:            One per floret. Pistil length: 12 mm in length. Style            dimensions: 2 mm in length and 1 mm in width. Style color:            150D. Stigma: Dimensions: 8 mm in length and 1.75 mm in            width. Form: Plumose. Color: 187A. Shape: Bifurcate. Ovary:            Position: Inferior. Color: 150D. Shape: Globose. Dimensions:            1 mm in width and 2 mm in height.-   Fruit/seed set:    -   -   Number of seeds.—Small to moderate amount (ranges from 50 to            100 seeds per inflorescence).        -   Seed dimensions.—5 mm to 6 mm in length (including hairs at            apex) and 1 mm to 2 mm in diameter.        -   Seed color.—200A.        -   Seed shape.—Conical with rounded base and apex.        -   Seed surface.—Smooth except at the apex where many very fine            silver hairs, up to 2 mm in length, are present in circular            groups.-   Disease and pest susceptibility: ‘Sunset Flash’ has not been    observed to exhibit any resistance to any particular pest or    disease. ‘Sunset Flash’ is susceptible to downy mildew and to thrips    as may be typical of Gaillardia.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘Sunset Flash’ is distinguishable from the female parent, ‘G716-1’ asfollows. The flowers of ‘Sunset Flash’ are composed of wider petals thanthe female parent. ‘Sunset Flash’ also exhibits a more compact growthhabit than the female parent. Finally, ‘Sunset Flash’ has more colorfastflowers in both high light and high temperature conditions than thefemale parent.

‘Sunset Flash’ is distinguishable from the male parent, ‘G722-1’ asfollows. Whereas the male parent exhibits carmine-pink florets with acream tips, the florets of ‘Sunset Flash’ are orange-red in color withyellow tips. Additionally ‘Sunset Flash’ exhibits smaller foliage thanthe male parent.

The variety of Gaillardia which is considered to most closely resemble‘Sunset Flash’ is the inventors' variety Gaillardia ‘Sunset Snappy’(co-pending). Whereas the ray florets of ‘Sunset Flash’ arepredominantly orange-red in color with yellow tips and arranged in tworows (layers), the ray florets of ‘Sunset Snappy’ are comprised of asingle row of ray florets which are predominantly purple-pink in color,with cream-yellow tips.

‘Sunset Flash’ may also be compared with the variety, Gaillardia‘Oranges and Lemons’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,092) which is similarlyhardy. The flowers of ‘Oranges and Lemons’ are orange and yellow incolor whereas the flowers of ‘Sunset Flash’ are orange-red in color withyellow tips. Additionally, the flowers of ‘Sunset Flash’ are larger andmore abundant than those of ‘Oranges and Lemons’. The plant habit of‘Sunset Flash’ is more compact than that of ‘Oranges and Lemons’.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gaillardia plant named‘Sunset Flash’ as described and illustrated herein.